Flawed Senate Immigration Bill Nevertheless Should Move Forward

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate voted 67-27 to move the bipartisan compromise bill, S. 744 forward on what is technically an amendment proposed by Senators Corker (R-TN), and Hoeven (R-ND) but marks a historic decision for millions of immigrants and our nation as a whole.

“These hundreds of pages contain hope and prosperity for immigrants, for businesses, and for families many of which have literally been waiting decades,” said Laura Lichter, AILA President. “After months of debate, including several weeks of review in committee and before the full Senate, the Senate bill still contains the essential elements of immigration reform that AILA has long supported: legalization with a path to citizenship for the undocumented, reforms to the family and business immigration system, and components for enforcement and border security.”

“AILA remains gravely concerned however that the bill’s ‘border surge’ component added in the Corker-Hoeven package will bring real harm to the border communities. There is no way DHS can recruit and train a force of nearly 40,000 border agents without seriously compromising due process, civil rights, and life in those regions. These agents, the fencing, and technology increases are unnecessary and hugely wasteful spending, and are likely to lead to abuses in border communities. This bill may represent our best shot at real immigration reform, and for that reason AILA supports it. But we must acknowledge that border communities will pay a profound price for it,” noted Ms. Lichter.

###

The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.